GovernSmyrna.

Committee of the Whole - A. Max Bacon City Hall - HR Training Room — Minutes

Open official source ↗ · Source page 3

SHA-256 62038dd7aa0060af517e8eca5e6872baed5ec6e070bb841b2229ce8a2a99e344 · Captured source extract

6:00 PM 
 
City of Smyrna 
Mayor and Council Meeting 
2800 King Street SE 
Human Resources Training Room 
 
Page 3 of 5 
 
• Renovation of existing exhibit hall, concourse, rotunda, and ballroom 
 
New Arrival Experience  
• New Arrival Plaza – Pedestrian friendly, linear plaza creates a common connection 
between new lobby, existing rotunda, parking, restaurant, and the Battery ATL 
Bridge over I-285. 
• New Front Door – Daylit, glass-enclosed new entry lobby connects old and new. A 
grand stair, escalators and elevator provides guests a new circulation hub. 
• Parking Deck Relocation – Red Deck torn down and new, connected parking deck 
built. Total parking will be approximately 1,700 spaces. 
 
Additional Features  
• 11,000 sf outdoor courtyard event space 
• Grand stair, escalator and feature elevator 
• New food and beverage options: Casual restaurant and Grab-and-go market 
• Modernized and refreshed exterior 
• Cohesive integration honoring existing facility while creating new facade 
• Glass connector hall ties space together 
• Natural light throughout including meeting rooms 
 
Rob Turner, COO, presented the following: 
  
How is the renovation and expansion funded?  
• Total project Cost – $190 million 
• Bond Issuance – July 2025: Debt service provided by Intergovernmental 
Revenues 
• Authority Reserves 
 
Authority’s Impact on Cobb County  
• A catalyst that drives economic growth and development by providing state-of-the-
art venues for corporate, consumer, social, athletics, performing arts and arts 
education events. 
• Provides Cobb County residents with nearby first-class venues for events and 
performances. 
• Acts as a driver for out-of-town visitation. Our trade shows, conventions and 
performances fill tens of thousands of hotel room nights each year. 
• Authority venues supported 1,050 jobs in 2024. 
 
Karen Caro, Director of Marketing & Communications, discussed details about changing 
their name from Cobb Galleria Centre to Cobb Convention Center. They also went 
through a rebranding process.   
 
 B. COW2026-032 HR Presentation – Carol Sicard 
 
Kristin Robinson, Deputy City Administrator / CFO, explained that this topic was discussed 
and approved previously concerning life insurance and life insurance premiums.   
• All retirees who were employed prior to 1/1/2020 get guaranteed life insurance 
– 75% of final salary  
• Active employees get 150% of salary with a maximum of $100,000 – reduction of 
35% when they reach age of 65 
• Current retirees (about 175 people) beginning 1/1/2026 had a 35% reduction at 
age 65 and a 50% reduction at age 70 
• This is a guaranteed payout until the employee passes away